About
The first inspiration formy creative life came from my high school English teacher who assured methat poor speling, poor grammer, and a highly experimental approach towriting would not necessarily limit my literary future. Later, as ananthropology graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania, Igreatly admired the poignant beauty for Loren Eiseley's prose.Scientist, humanist, naturalist, and poet, his ability to interweavepaleontology with personal reflections on the human condition was mostinspiring. I especially remember two memorable occasions when we met forlunch at a nearby cafeteria where we shared our thoughts on science andhumanity - issues which emerged several years later in his highlypopular book, 'The Immense Journey.' While our interests soondiverged, his literary achievements continue to inspire me to this day.
In addition to teaching anthropology at theUniversity of Oklahoma, McGill, and Connecticut, I have served onnumerous national and international panels and boards including those ofthe National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, theAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science, the AmericanAnthropological Association, and the Arctic Institute of NorthAmerica.
Interests outside of anthropology andwriting include music and flying. Early musical studies at the EastmanSchool of Music and Oberlin Conservatory led to a decade-longinvolvement as jazz drummer and band leader; while washing planes forflying lessons culminated in a long term commitment to the joys andadventure of flight. Highlights of these flights included exploring themountains, river valleys, and wilderness areas of Canada and Alaska withmy anthropologist-pilot wife, Nancy Fogel-Chance.
Description
<p><strong>KURDISH SCAVENGERS UNCOVER A CACHE OF NERVE GAS IN IRAQ AND OFFER THEM TO KURDISH FIGHTERS IN TURKEY. THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS BEDLAM ALPHA TEAM MUST SECURE THE WEAPONS BEFORE THEY CAN BE USED.</strong></p><p>"<strong>You must swear by Allah never to say a word of what I'm going to tell you. </strong><strong>This is the most important secret. Ever!"</strong></p><p><em>In their daily struggle for survival, Iraqi Kurdish scavengers uncover a cache of chemical weapons. They offer the weapons to fellow Kurdish rebels in Turkey and Syria to assist in their quest to free an imprisoned leader and create a unified homeland. After receiving a tip from an unlikely source, the newly formed Special Operations Bedlam team is called to arms! </em></p><p><em>Travel with Craig Cameron and his international team on their covert operation as they weave their way through war-torn regions seeking to locate and recover the weapons before they can be used to cause irreparable harm and instigate a world crisis. </em></p><p><em>The odds are stacked against them. Can they manage to keep their operation hidden and prevent further clashes before it's too late?</em></p><p>"The Kurdish Connection--a compelling read. A story of friendship, danger and intrigue."--<em>Ann Everett, Amazon Best Selling Author.</em></p><p>..". Randall's authentic voice adds a powerful push to keep a reader turning the pages." --<em>Janet Taylor-Perry, author of The</em><em> Raiford</em><em> Chronicles, The Legend of</em><em> Draconis</em><em> Saga, and April Chastain Intrigues.</em></p><p>"Topical - Engaging - Intriguing - Powerful ... A real page turner."--<em>Rikon Gaites</em><em>, author of Mummy's Little Soldier and Darius</em><em> Odenkirk</em><em>.</em></p><p>..". Randall Krzak brings his wealth of experience living in this troubled part of the world and his military knowledge to bear in this exciting story..."--<em>John L.</em><em> DeBoer</em><em>, author of When the Reaper Comes.</em></p><p>..". a journey full of history, suspense, intrigue, and action...a MUST READ for all!"--<em>Les Stahl, Retired</em> NSA Executive.</p><p>..". Readers need to fasten their seatbelts for a fast-paced tale made believable by a writer who knows what he's writing about."--<em>Preston</em><em> Holtry</em><em>, author of the Morgan</em><em> Westphal</em><em> mystery series and the</em><em> Arrius</em><em> trilogy (forthcoming).</em></p><p>"A behind the scenes story, ripped from today's headlines deepening the reader's understanding of an ancient strife ... filled with the sights and smells of the market place and secret meetings, the reader is admitted to the secret heart, the desperate longings of those that must fight and win, or see continued subjugation by their masters..."<em>--Oliver F. Chase, author of Camelot Games, </em>Levant Mirage, Blind Marsh, and Marsh Island.</p>
Story Behind The Book
When you read the Prologue to the 'Betrayal,' you learn that Carrie Graham died in a tragic automobile accident shortly before finishing her novel on environmental contamination at a military base in Alaska. A major purpose of this Backstory is to assist in achieving her original goal.
Shortly before her death, she shared several thoughts with me that she had been hesitant to express earlier. To what extent could she draw on the experiences of a real person in developing a character in her novel? Was there a line that should not be crossed? How dangerous is it to expose criminal malfeasance on the part of a specific individual or government agency? And finally, what steps could she take to protect herself from betrayal by others?
Included in the novel's web site is an interactive database where readers can explore actual events referred to in the novel; along with unclassified government documents and a Search and Feedback section. Also available is a Forum enabling participants to share their own views on the environmental concerns raised by Carrie.
